Chris Waller brought his Sydney autumn carnival form to Queensland but the spring appears an even bigger stage following Metal Bender's win in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast.
Metal Bender caused an upset when he toppled Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Road To Rock by 1 lengths in the 1800m feature. Gold Water was third.
Waller was concerned at the start of the week when the Gold Coast track was rated heavy but his confidence soared following a track upgrade to slow.
"After the Doomben Cup he'll have a break and we'll look at the big spring races in Melbourne."
Jockey Hugh Bowman will stay with Metal Bender in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) in a fortnight.
Waller enjoyed Group 1 success at Sydney with Danleigh in the George Ryder Stakes and Rangirangdoo in the Doncaster Mile.
Tough New Zealand campaigner Sir Slick was fifth.
- AAP
Racing: Bender causes upset
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